Defra announces British Waterways grant for 2008/09

Today (21 February) Defra announced its grant to British Waterways for 2008/09.  The grant is £56.624 million (like for like comparison 2007/08, £56.4 million), once repayment of £1.024 million of National Loans Fund is excluded.

Responding to the announcement Robin Evans, British Waterways chief executive said: “In the current difficult government funding climate this is a reasonable settlement and in line with our expectations.  It shows that Defra has listened to the arguments that further funding cuts would be very damaging.  I would like to thank our minister, Jonathan Shaw and his team of officials, for all the hard work they have put in to protect waterways funding.  I know they recognise the value of maintaining the integrity of the canal network for delivery of a wide range of public benefits, including regeneration and public enjoyment of the environment.  This can only be a positive development as Defra completes its planning for the remaining two years of the Comprehensive Spending Review.”

22 February 2008